Region Finals Bring Big Games, Questions for Holmes County
Area teams Highland, Indian Valley, Garaway and Hillsdale will play in regional high school football finals on the evening of November 21, with kickoffs set for 7 p.m. These matchups matter to Holmes County residents not only for local pride and economic activity, but also for questions about student athlete safety, travel burdens and equitable access to medical care.
Four regional finals in Ohio high school football will send teams into playoff action on November 21, with several contests expected to draw fans from across Holmes County and neighboring communities. In Division II Region 6 Avon, 11 and 1, will face unbeaten Highland, 12 and 0, at Brunswick Auto Mart Stadium. Division IV Region 14 will pit Indian Valley, 11 and 0, against New Lexington, 11 and 1, at Stewart Field in Coshocton. Division VI Region 21 sends Garaway, 11 and 2, to Louisville Leopard Stadium to meet Kirtland, 12 and 0. Division VII Region 27 features Danville, 8 and 5, at Ridgewood Generals Stadium in West Lafayette to take on Hillsdale, 11 and 1. All games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
These matchups carry significance beyond wins and losses for local families. Kirtland arrives with a dominant season and a powerhouse running back who has amassed 1,760 rushing yards. Coach Tiger LaVerde’s program has shown sustained success this year, creating a high bar for opponents. Garaway earned its spot with a recent defensive performance that pushed the team past Dalton. Key contributors for Garaway this season include Braylan Books with 13 tackles in that game, quarterback Grady Miller with 206 passing yards and two touchdowns, and Matthew Frey who rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Micah Yoder supplied a game changing 93 yard touchdown catch in the playoff run.
Last week’s results shaped these pairings and highlighted tactical matchups to watch, including whether Highland’s balanced attack can contend with Avon’s experience, and how Indian Valley will manage New Lexington’s pressure at Stewart Field. The Garaway Kirtland matchup will be watched closely for run defense and ball control, while the Danville Hillsdale game will test depth and conditioning late in the season.
For Holmes County residents the games mean more than cheering from the stands. Evening travel to Brunswick, Coshocton, Louisville and West Lafayette creates transportation challenges for families without reliable vehicles or flexible schedules. Rural school budgets and volunteer medical staffing determine whether certified athletic trainers are onsite, which affects concussion evaluation and immediate injury care. Local clinics and emergency services often absorb increased demand on game nights, underscoring longstanding gaps in rural health resources.
Community leaders and school officials face policy choices about investment in player safety, including funding for trainers, standardizing concussion protocols, and providing transportation assistance to ensure equitable access for low income families. These matches are opportunities for community celebration and for spotlighting how Holmes County supports young athletes beyond the scoreboard. As the regional finals approach, the outcomes on the field will be decided by players and coaches, while the broader implications will prompt conversations about health equity, school resource allocation and community resilience.
